Appreciating Things Japanese

Lately, we have been watching quite a lot of NHK channel features on Japan. Much of what we see is very interesting. They seem to take great care in preparing the shows. So the shows seem well thought out and orderly. Perhaps this is part of their culture. Minimalist, go for less than more. Enjoy the smaller, finer bit sizes. Prepare with great care to the detail.  We see this in their kimono-making, which looks like art in the making. We also see this in the way they will prepare a sushi dish. A maki dish. Or any type of food. While the show is going on, the music is soft and quiet in the background. Not loud and glaring. Sometimes just strumming of a string instrument. The setting is usually neat. Uncluttered. Then the camera focuses on one activity at a time. Usually there is no talking. Just the music and the actions.

This channel is good for when you want to wind down before sleeping. If ever there are narrators or someone emceeing the show, usually their voice is soft spoken. They speak slowly. They never rattle on and on unlike some other channels.

This must be cultural, I tend to think. Perhaps another glimpse into their culture is the way their houses are depicted in the traditional movies. There are hardly any furniture. The mat seems like the highlight. Any decors. lamps or tables seem to be relegated to the sides. Of course when they are needed, they are then put in the center, or rolled out. But they are then placed aside after use. Uncluttered.

I can't imagine yet how I can convert our house into such empty, uncluttered territory. We have just so many furnitures and things all over. And to think that compared to others we know, we are already quite a simple family. Where in the world do the Japanese store all their goods? This is something I will definitely try to find out about more if ever we have the opportunity to return to Japan again. Where do they keep their books, documents, kitchen supplies, suitcases, etc.  Second question, don't they use chairs? Don't their legs hurt when they sit on the floor for their meals? For those in their elderly years, isn't it hard to get up from the floor? I already find it hard to get up from a chair. What more from the floor.

For me these are the allure of Japan. The meditative way they go about their life. The slower, quieter, more orderly way of doing things. 

Then of course, this way is also reflected in their gardens and their outdoors. Whether zen gardens, temple gardens, or simply lakes or bodies of water around, in many places, the quietness fills the air.

I may be describing only what outsiders see. Perhaps it may be different for those who reside there. Perhaps there are crowds and unruly behaviour. Or noice pollution. Densely populated cities.. perhaps they just don't show these in NHK channel? This again is something to check out further in the future. But in the meantime, it does not concern me and I can just enjoy what I see on TV.

When the lock down and covid threats are over, we hope to take a trip again to Japan. There is still a lot to explore in Osaka, Kyoto. Then there are still so many other places, prefectures to experience. Hopefully we can do this, before we get too old to travel. 

When I was growing up, my mind was blocked to Japanese culture. Perhaps because my mother had unpleasant memories of the Japanese occupation here. Many of her generation had to stop schooling. Some had to walk far into the provinces to avoid the Japanese soldiers. Or their houses were taken over. The war was a difficult time for them. So because of that, I hardly got to appreciate all that Japanese culture had to offer. But now, I see many interesting and nice things about their country: certain customs practices, ways of being. A very interesting historical past (especially during the time of Nobunaga, Toyotomi, Tokugawa). Colourful and intricately designed floral kimonos. Very beautiful scenery. Pleasant and neat looking houses. Well-thought out and managed agricultural farms. Factories with advanced technological know how. Delicious cuisine, especially their seafoods. And even very well scripted movies made with meaningful messages to offer the viewers!

Haaaay, just waiting for the day we can once again explore Japan in person  :-)